Process for treating convertible substance



Aug. 18, 1936.

L. A. DUBBS PRocEs s FOR TREATING CONVERTIBLE SUBSTANCE Original Filed March 16; 1952 Patented Aug. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROCESS FOR TREATING CONVERTIBLE SUBSTANCE Leland A. Dubbs, Los Angeles, Calif.

4 Claims. (Cl. 196-52) This invention relates to a process and means for treating convertible substance and producing therefrom other products (by the combining of heretofore considered and recognized as separate and unrelated means for producing such products) for the purpose of reducing the production cost of such products and for. the eiiicient and economical utilization of the by-products.

The object of this invention is to provide an economical, eflicient and continuous means and process, operative separately, or adaptable in combination with other apparatus or processes, for the treatment of convertible substance, by direct contact with a thermolyzing (conversion) heat, to sumciently thermolyze the said convertible substance, with or without, the additional treatment of a. chemical and/or catalytic agents that effect the conversion of convertible substance all of which takes place in separate or in the same zone, and in a manner that the amount of conversion produced can be controlled, all of which can be accomplished at, above, or below.

atmospheric pressure.

In the drawing Fig. 1 1s a diagrammatic view of an apparatus suitable to practice my invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates 'the construction of the carbon heating element I9.

Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 2. I

Similar numbers designate corresponding parts in all of the figures of the drawing.

Fig. 1, I an expansion and vaporizing chamber of which there may be two or more. 2 is the expansion and vaporizing zone. 2A, the outlet for the evolved vapors and gases from zone 2 and connects with other apparatus, as for instance, dephlegmating, fractionating, heat exchanging, absorbing, condensing apparatus and etc. of conventional design the construction and operation of which are well known to those skilled in the art, hence I have not shown them on the drawing nor described them in the specification. 3 is a discharge pipe into zone 2 of chamber I; 4, a

spray or atomization devices in zone 2 of chamber I; 5, the approximate level when treating convertible liquids; 6, a sight gauge glass; 6A, shut-off devices on sight gauge glass 6; I, reservoir in lower part of chamber 8, flanged outlet on the lower part of chamber I for entering same for cleaning or repairs; 9, flanged outlet at the bottom of chamber I for removing the material deposited in reservoir 1 of chamber I; I0, removable flange on opening 9; ll, a discharge or suction line for withdrawing the material from reservoir 1 when the said material is not to be recirculated; l2 and HA are for injecting efl'ective media into chamber I, when required, the source and means of supply being not shown. I3 are shut-01f devices; I4, a suction line from reservoir 1 to charging and recirculating pumps I6, by which means the apparatus may be charged and the contents of reservoir I may be recirculated for further treatment; I5, a car upon a track for hauling away any solid material pro. duced and removed from reservoir 1. iii are feed and circulating pumps; H, a shut-off device; l8, a supply or suction line from a source of supply (hydrocarbons) not shown; I9, a carbon heating element; ISA and I9B are the electrical current connections; 20, the outlet pipe from carbon heating element I9; 2| are shut-oil devices; 22, the supply line for conveying as for instance, hydrocarbon substance from preheating coil 29 to carbon heating element I9; 23, a supply line for conveying effective medium, as for instance, anhydrous aiuminum chloride or any other suitable efiective material from preheating coil 21 to the carbon heating element I9; 24, supply line for conveying a non-supporter of combustion medium, when required, from preheating coil 26 to the carbon heating element I9; 25, a heating chamber within which are placed the heating coils 26, 21 and 29; and 28 is a supply line for conveying effective medium to coil 21 from a supply source not shown. 30 is a discharge line from pumps I6; 3i, furnace within which the combustion of the carbon produced in reservoir 1, may be consumed with oxygen produced in the generators 34, and 36 for the production of concentrated carbon dioxide while the heat is utilized to heat coils 26, 21 and 29. 32 are automatic shut-oil devices; 33, a discharge manifold line from generators 34, 35, and 36; 31, a supply line to generators 34, 35 and 36. 33 is a combination vacuum and pressure pump; and 39 is a supply line leading from a supply source not shown; 40, a discharge line to storage tank not shown; 4|, heating chamber for generators 34, 35 and 36; 42, furnaces connected with generators 34, 35 and 36 within which the carbon deposited and removed from reservoir I may be consumed, supported by oxygen produced in generators 34, 35 and 36 for the p p se of producing carbon dioxide gas of high concentration, the hot gases being conveyed by manifold 43 to chamber25 to heat coils 26, 21 and 29. 44 is an oxygen recovery line from generators 34, 35, and 36' conveyed to furnaces 3| and/or 42 for supporting combustion of fuel therein by conventional means not shown, as for instance, to oxygen storage tanks and/or to carbonaceous fuel and oxygen proportioning means.

Fig. 2, I9 is the carbon heating element, as for instance, an electrical resistant carbon tube, having an outer wall and an inner bore so that upon an electrical heating current being applied to the exterior of the wall of the carbon tube which would produce within the said bore, a thermolyzing heat of sufficient temperature and volume to convert convertible substance, as for instance, hydrocarbons at a temperature above 300 F. and at a pressure in excess of five pounds while passing through the bore of. said carbon heating element. ISA and I9B are the electrical heating current connections. ISC are the terminals or posts; 45, the outside shell or protecting casing around the carbon heating element I9; 46, electrical and heat resisting insulation material, 41 and 48 the flanged ends, 49 the Y outlet, 50 and 5| connecting pipes to chamber I and a duplicate of chamber I. 52 of Fig. 3 indicates a lining that may be inserted within the bore of the carbon heating element I9 when required. P indicates pressure recording devices. T indicates temperature recording devices. X indicates check valves. indicates temperature, pressure and/or volume regulating and controlling devices.

It is to be understood that the apparatus should be sufilciently protected with heat'resisting and heat conserving insulation wherever required about the apparatus.

It is to be understood that the apparatus should be designed in accordance with the character of the convertible substance to be treated and the preheating and thermolyzing temperature should be in accordance with the nature and extent of the treatment to be given the convertible substance.

In the drawing I have illustrated one type of an apparatus, suitable for the treatment of liquid substance, as for instance, hydrocarbon oils.

' From the foregoing explanation it is believed that the construction, operation and many advantages of. the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, and construction of the apparatus and in the operation of the process may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described my invention,'what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A method for thermolyzing a hydrocarbon oil comprising separately preheating the oil, noncombustible gas, and catalytic material in restricted streams, intermingling these materials and passing them in a stream at a suitable pressure through the bore of an electrically heated carbon resistor maintained at a temperature suitable to effect the thermolysis, then separating and recovering the products of the thermolysis.

2. A method for thermolyzing hydrocarbons comprising preheating the hydrocarbons and gas consisting substantially of carbon dioxide in restricted streams, intermingling these materials and passing them in a stream at a suitable pressure through the bore of an electrically heated carbon resistor maintained at a temperature suit-' able to eifect the thermolysis, then separating and recovering the products of the thermolysis.

3. A method for thermolyzing hydrocarbons comprising separately preheating the hydrocarbons and effective material as for instance, anhydrous aluminum chloride suspendedin oil for the preheating in restricted streams, intermingling these materials and passing them in a stream at a suitable pressure through the bore of an electrically heated carbon resistor maintained at a temperature suitable to efiect the thermolysis, then separating and recovering the productsof the thermolysis.

4. A method for thermolyzing hydrocarbons comprising separately preheating the hydrocarbons and effective catalytic material as for instance, nickel oxide suspended in the oil in restricted streams, intermingling these materials and passing them in a stream at a suitable pressure through the bore of an electrically heated carbon resistor maintained at a temperature suitable to effect the thermolysis, then separating and recovering the products of the thermolysis.

IZIIEILAND A. DUBBS. 

